Smaller reduction in number of temp jobs

28/05/2010 09:30

The number of hours worked in temp jobs dropped by more than 1 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Adjusted for seasonal variation, the index figure (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A was 101.2, as against 102.5 in the previous quarter.

The number of hours worked in temp jobs has been in decline for nearly 2 years, but the rate of decline is currently slowing down. This tallies with the current stage of recession. Temp job agencies are the first to be affected by a diminishing demand for goods and services. The sharpest decline appears to be over by now. According to the Survey on Business Services conducted by Statistics Netherlands, the mood among providers of temp jobs has lifted lately. They were very optimistic in May about their future turnover, future employment in their branch and the economic climate in general.

Stage A includes persons working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both parties – employer and employee – to terminate the contract than in the subsequent stages B and C.